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Sleep Study

What is a sleep study?

The stages of sleep range from light to deep. Each stage has characteristics that can be measured. A sleep study is a number of tests done at the same time during sleep. The tests measure specific sleep characteristics and help to diagnose sleep disorders. A sleep study may also be called polysomnogram.

The basic recordings done during a sleep study may include:

Electroencephalography (EEG). This measures brain wave activity.

Electrooculogram (EOG). This measures eye movement.

Electromyography (EMG). This measures muscle movement.

Other recordings. An electrocardiogram (ECG) may be used to record electrical activity of the heart. Video recordings may also be made of you while you sleep.

Sleep studies generally take place in a sleep lab during your normal sleeping hours. The goal is to record brain and body activity that happens during sleep so that sleep disorders can be diagnosed and treated.

During a sleep study, the following may be measured:

Eye movement. The number of eye movements and their frequency or speed.

Brain activity. The electrical currents of the brain.

Limb movement. The number and intensity of movements.

Breathing patterns. The number and depth of respirations.

Heart rhythm. The electrical activity of the heart.

Oxygen saturation. The percentage of oxygen in the blood.

Acid/base balance of the stomach. The amount of acid secreted during sleep.

Sleep latency. The time it takes to fall asleep.

Sleep duration. The period of time a person stays asleep.

Sleep efficiency. The ratio of the total time asleep to the total time in bed.

In addition, these tests may be done:

Multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) measure how long it takes to fall asleep